Dupleix and French Policy

Two principal factories on the east coast of India were the British station
at Fort St. George, now Madras, and the French station at Pondicherry, eighty
miles farther south. The first man who seems to have entertained definite
notions about building up a European sovereignty upon the ruins of the Mogul
Empire was Dupleix, the French Governor at Pondicherry. His long residence in
the East had given him knowledge of Indian affairs that few Europeans possessed.
His restless, capacious, and inventive mind had formed this scheme at a time
when the oldest servants of the English Company were busied only about invoices
and bills of lading. Nor had he only proposed for himself the end. He had also a
just and distinct view of the means by which it was to be attained.

He clearly saw that the greatest force which the princes of India could bring
into the field would be no match for the small body of men trained in the
discipline and guided by the tactics of the West. He saw, also, that the natives
of India might, under European commanders, be formed into armies such as Saxe or
Frederick would be proud to command. He was perfectly aware that the most easy
and convenient way in which a European adventurer could exercise sovereignty in
India was to govern the motions, and speak through the mouth, of some glittering
puppet dignified by the title of Nabob or Nizam. The arts, both of war and
policy, which the English employed a few years later with such signal success,
were first understood and practiced by this ingenious and aspiring Frenchman.

In 1748 the Nizam of the Deccan died. Two claimants for the throne appeared
in the persons of Nazir Jung, son of the old Nizam, and Mirzapha Jung, a
grandson. About the same time an adventurer, Chunda Sahib, set up a claim for
the throne of the Carnatic against Anaverdy Khan, the reigning prince. Here was
the opportunity for Dupleix to carry his long-cherished plans into execution. He
espoused the cause of Chunda Sahib in the Carnatic, and sent four hundred French
soldiers to his assistance. A battle was fought and Anaverdy Khan was killed.
His son Mohammed Ali fled with a scanty remnant of his army to Trichinopoly, and
nearly all the Carnatic submitted to the conqueror.

Next Dupleix lent his French soldiers to Mirzapha Jung, who in a short time
became master of the Deccan. The new sovereigns showered wealth and favors upon
the successful Frenchman. He was declared governor of a territory in India as
large as all France, with a population of 50,000,000 people. He was placed in
command of the largest military force of the country. He was presented with a
million dollars in money and many valuable jewels. Neither the Nizam nor the
Nabob concluded any affairs of moment without his advice and consent. He was, in
fact, invested with sovereign powers, and French influence in Southern India was
paramount and seemingly firmly established.

The triumph of the French arms carried consternation to the British factory
at St. George. Unless the victorious career of Dupleix could be stayed, not only
would British influence be destroyed, but also the very existence of their
trading posts would soon be at an end. At this time the government of St. George
was feeble. The military officers in command were without experience. Everything
betokened speedy and irretrievable ruin. In this emergency the valor and genius
of an obscure English youth suddenly turned the tide of fortune.